Swimming pool

ABSTRACT

An in ground swimming pool erected in an excavation having a bottom wall and at least one side wall, generally including a plurality of vertically disposed panels hingedly secured together in end-to-end relation about the periphery of the excavation adjacent the side wall thereof, each hinged connection between successive panels consisting of at least one vertical slot disposed in one of the successive panels, a tab having a vertical recess, disposed on the other of the successive panels, received within the slot and cooperating therewith to provide a vertical passageway between the panels, and a pin disposed in the vertical passageway having a length greater than the vertical slot, for interlocking successive panels, means for supporting at least a portion of the vertical panels consisting of at least one elongated rigid member secured at one end to one of the panels, extending laterally through undisturbed soil disposed adjacent the panel, and anchored at the other end thereof, and a liner disposed within the plurality of panels, having the periphery thereof secured to the panels.

United States Patent [191 I Barrera [111' 3,798,857 [451 Mar. 26, 1974 11 SWIMMING POOL [75] Inventor: Salvatore E. Barrera, Berwick, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Wilkes Pool Corporation, Berwick,

[22 Filed: 'Feb.25, 1972 [211 Appl. No.: 229,444

[52] US. Cl. 52/169, 52/582 [51] Int. Cl E04h 3/18 [58] Field of Search4/172, 172.19; 52/169,

52/586, 588, 582; 287/l89.36 D, 189.36 R, 127 R; 61/49; 46/31, 21;220/76 McBerty Adam Primary Examiner-John E. Murtagh Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Peter N. Lalos [57] ABSTRACT An in ground swimming pool erected inan excavation having a bottom wall and at least one side wall, generallyincluding a plurality of vertically disposed panels hingedly securedtogether in end-to-end relation about the periphery of the excavationadjacent the side wall thereof, each hinged connection betweensuccessive panels consisting of at least one vertical slot disposed inone of the successive panels, a tab having a vertical recess, disposedon the other of the successive panels, received within the slot andcooperating therewith to provide a vertical passageway between thepanels, and a pin disposed in the vertical passageway having a lengthgreater than the vertical slot, for interlocking successive panels,means for supporting at least a portion of the vertical panelsconsisting of at least one elongated rigid member secured at one end toone of the panels, extending laterally through undisturbed soil disposedadjacent the panel, and anchored at the other end thereof, and a linerdisposed within the plurality of panels, having the periphery thereofsecured to the panels.

17 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTED MARZB I974 SHEEI 3 0F 3 SWIMMINGPOOL This invention relates to a swimming pool construction and moreparticularly to a swimming pool construction whose components can beassembled and sold as a kit to permit purchasers including buildingcontractors and home owners to erect such pools in an excavation ofappropriate dimensions.

In the prior art, there has been developed a concept of providing kitsof both above ground and in ground swimming pools which can be sold tobuilding contractors or home owners for erection at selected sites.Usually, such kits include a number of components which may be securedtogether to provide a peripheral wall, a liner adapted to be positionedwithin the wall with the periphery thereof secured to the upper end ofthe wall, and various means for providing lateral support to the wall toprevent deformation caused by the lateral component of force produced bythe body of water contained in the liner within the wall. In the type ofpool construction as aforementioned, it has been found that the variousconstructions utilized in the prior art are not entirely satisfactory inproviding a wall construction having sufficient capability toeffectively and economically prevent deformation such as'bulging and thelike.

- Accordingly, it is the principle object of the present invention toprovide a novel swimming pool construc-' tion.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel swimmingpool construction, the components of which may readily be assembled as akit for sale to purchasers such as building contractors and home owners.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel swimmingpool construction of the type having a peripheral wall, a liner disposedwithin and secured along its periphery to such wall, and means forproviding lateral support to the wall.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel inground swimming pool construction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel swimmingpool construction having a wall construction consisting of a pluralityof panels disposed in end-to-end relation, including novel means forinterlocking such panels.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel swimmingpool construction having a peripheral wall construction provided withimproved means for preventing deformation of the wall construction whenthe fully erected pool is filled with water.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novelwall construction particularly suitable for an in ground swimming poolconstruction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel panelconstruction particularly adapted for use in a peripheral wall for aswimming pool construction.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel methodof erecting a swimming pool.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novelmethod of erecting an in ground swimming pool.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel swimmingpool construction which is easy to assemble and disassemble.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel swimmingpool construction which is comparatively simple in design, relativelyinexpensive to manufacture and effective in performance.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent to those persons having ordinary skill in the art to which theinvention pertains, from the following description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the embodimentshown in FIG. 1, illustrating the means for providing lateral support tothe wall construction of the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view 'of a pair of successive panelsutilized in the wall construction shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, illustratingthe interlocking means of the panels in exploded relation;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, perspective-view similar to the view shown inFIG. 3, illustrating the panels in the locked condition.' I

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 55 in FIG.2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the upper end ofa por tion of the wallconstruction shown in FIG. I, illustrating the components thereof inexploded relation; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, vertical cross-sectional view of the wallconstruction shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated an embodiment of theinvention consisting of an in ground swimming pool 10 disposed within anexcavation having a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls. Theswimming pool 10 generally includes a wall construction 11 seated on thebottom wall, adjacent the side walls of the excavation, a plurality oflateral support assembliesl2 disposed about the periphery of the wallconstruction 1 l, and a liner 13 disposed within the wall construction10 with the periphery thereof secured to the upper end of the wallconstruction.

The wall construction 11 consists of a lower base rail 14 seated on thebottom wall of the excavation, a plurality of vertically disposed panels15 seated on and secured to the lower base rail 14, adjacent the sidewalls of the excavation, and an upper rail 16 seated on and secured tothe upper ends of the wall panels 15. The lower base rail 14 consists ofa plurality of upwardly opening channel-shaped members 17 secured toendto-end relation. As best illustrated in FIG. 2, each channel-shapedmember 17 consists of a flat web portion 18 seated on the bottom wall ofthe excavation adjacent a side wall thereof, an inner flange portion 19and an outer flange portion 20. Each channel-shaped member 17 isanchored to the ground by means of one or more anchoring spikes orspades 21 having the upper portions thereof hooked over the outer flangeportions 20 of the channel-shaped members. As best illustrated in FIG.1, the ends of the channel-shaped members adjacent the corners of thepool are rigidly interconnected by means of bolted connecting members 22and 22a.

Each of the wall panels 15 is substantially rectangular-shaped andincludes a bottom edge 23 seated on the flat web portion 18 of achannel-shaped member 17, adjacent an inner flange portion 19, an upperedge 24 disposed substantially parallel to the lower edge 23, a sideedge 25 having an outwardly projecting, vertical flange 26, and a sideedge 27 disposed substantially parallel to the side edge 25, having aplurality of vertically spaced tabs 28. As best illustrated in FIG. 3,the

junction 29 between the vertical flange portion 26 and the main bodyportion of each panel is provided with a plurality of vertically spacedslots 30. Each of the tabs 28 is curved to provide a vertical recess28a, and is adapted to register and be received within avertical slot 30when a pair of panels are secured together in side-by-side relation. Asillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the free ends of the tabs 28 are providedwith upwardly and downwardly projecting portions 28b and 28c, the inneredges of which are adapted to engage a vertical flange 26 when the tabs28 are recieved in slots 30 so that the vertical slots 28a of the tabs28, and the vertical flange 26 and main body portion of the successivepanel cooperate to provide a vertically aligned passageway adapted toreceive an elongated pin 31 for locking successive panels together.

The upper rail 16 is best illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 and includes aplurality of downwardly opening channel-shaped members 32 disposed inend-to-end relation and secured on the upper ends of the panels 15, aplurality of extrusions 33 disposed in end-to-end relation and mountedon the channel-shaped members 32, and a continuous coping 34 mounted onthe extrusions 33 The channel-shaped member 32 each is provided with aflat web portion 35, an inner downwardly projecting flange 36 overlyingand secured to the upper inner sides of the panels 15,by means of aplurality of bolts '37, and an outer downwardly projecting flange 38which is adapted to rest on the soil backfllled against the outer sidesof the panels 15. The extrusions 33 are provided with horizontalsections 39 seated on and secured to the inner sides of the web portions35 of the channel-shaped members, vertical sections 40 which are adaptedto overlie the inner flange portions 36 of the channel-shaped memberswhen the horizontal portions 39 are seated on and secured to the webportions of the channel-shaped members, and outwardly projecting flanges41 providing outwardly opening horizontal recesses 42 which are adaptedto receive the periphery of the liner 13. The coping 34 is provided witha substantially horizontal section 43 adapted to rest on the web portion35 of the channel-shaped member 32 and horizontal sections 39 of theextrustions, having a lip portion 43a adapted to be received withinrecesses 42 to secure the periphery of the liner 13 within the recesses42, and a downwardly curved portion 47 which is adapted to overlie theperiphery of the liner l3.

FIG. 2 best illustrates a lateral support assembly 12 which consists ofabracket 48, a rigid metal rod 49 and an anchoring means 50. The bracket48 is secured to the upper end of a vertical flange 26 by means of apair of bolts 48a and 48b. A metal rod 49 is secured at its inner end toa bracket 48 by means of a bolt 50a, projects outwardly and downwardlythrough backfllled soil 51 disposed adjacent the outer sides of thepanels 15 and undistrube d soil 52, and has its outer end permanentlyembedded in the anchoring means 50 preferably consisting of concretepoured in a hole 53 disposed laterally from the pool excavation. Asshown in FIG. 2, the outer end of each metal rod 49 is flattened as at49a which is provided with an opening therein for receiving therethrougha short piece of reinforcing steel 49b secured therein by means of awire 49c.

ln the erection of the swimming pool construction as described, the poolsite is first excavated to the desired depth with the periphery thereofmade slightly larger than the final periphery of the pool. Next, theholes 53 are dug about the periphery of the pool excavation to providethe areas of undisturbed soil 52 between the pool excavation and theholes 53. After the bottom wall of the pool excavation is fine graded,the lower base rail 14 is set in position on the bottom wall of the poolexcavation about the periphery thereof. This consists of positioning theupwardly opening channel-shaped members in end-to-end relation to formthe outline of the side walls for the pool structure, and bolting themtogether. The ends of the members 17 disposed at the corners of the poolare interconnectedby means of the members 22 and 22a. The lower baserail then is completed by anchoring the members 17 to the ground bymeans of the anchor spikes or spades 20 each of which is provided with ahook portion engaging an outer flange portion 20 and a pointed portionwhich is driven into the ground.

When the lower base rail 14 has been set and anchored in place, the sidewalls of the pool are then set in place by securing the wall panels 15and 15a on the lower base rail 14 in end-to-end relation. Successivepanels are secured together by guiding the panels together sothat thetab portions 28 of one panel are received within the vertical slots 30of the'other panel and the flange portions 28b and 280 engage thevertical flange 26, and dropping the locking pin 31 along the juncture29 and through vertically aligned recesses 28a of the tabs to interlockthe successive panels. As best shownin FIG. 2, the lower edges of thepanels 15 are seated on the web portions 18 of channel-shaped members17, adjacent the inner flange portions 19 by means of bolts 19a.

When the wall construction progresses to a point adjacent a laterallyspaced hole 53 and before the next successive panel is connected, arigid metal rod 49 is driven from the upper end of the panel set inplace, and through the undisturbed soil 52 between the pool excavationand the hole 53, into the hole 53, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The flatend 490 of the rod facilitates its penetration of the undisturbed soil52. When the rod has been set in place, the next wall panel 15 providedwith a bracket 48 is connected to thewall panel set in place, and theinner end of the rod 49 is secured to the bracket by means of a bolt500.

After all of the wall panels 15 have been set in place, interlocked inend-to-end relation and bolted to the inner flange portions 19 ofchannel-shpaed members,

17 to complete the wall structure, the short pieces of reinforcing rods49b are inserted in the openings in the flat ends of rods 49 and securedtherein with the wires 490. Concrete then is poured into the lower endsof the holes 53 and permitted to harden thus embeddingthe outer ends ofthe rods 49. The holes 53 then are filled to ground level and the sidewall formed from the panels 15 is backfllled by depositing loose soilinto the space between the undisturbed soil,52 and the outer sides ofpanels 17.

Next, the upper rail 16 is assembled by positioning the channel-shapedmembers 32 in end-to-end relation about the upper ends of the wallpanels 15 so that the web portions 35 thereof are disposed on the upperedges 24 of the panels and the soil backfllled against the outer sidesof the panels, the inner flange portions 36 overlie the upper innersides of the panels 15 and are secured thereto by means of bolts 37, andthe outer flange portions 38 project into the soil backfllled againstthe panels 15. The extrusions 33 are then mounted on the channel-shapedmembers 32 with the horizontal sections 39 thereof seated on the innerends of members 32 and rigidly secured thereto by means of bolts 39a,and the vertical sections 40 thereof overlying the inner flange portions36 of the channel-shaped members. As soon as the extrusions 33 have beenrigidly set in place and the bottom wall of the excavation has beensuitably prepared by fine grading and possibly the addition of sand toprovide an appropriate contour for the bottom of the pool, the liner 13is placed in the pool and the periphery thereof is pulled up over theflange portions 41 of extrusions 33 and tucked into the verticalrecesses 42. The coping 34 is then applied so that the horizontalportion 43 thereof rests on the horizontal extrusion sections 39, thelip portion 43a is received within recesses 42 to lock the periphery ofthe liner therein and the curved section 47 overlies the upper end ofliner 13, as illustrated in FIG. 7. Assuming that the filter system forthe pool has been connected, the swimming pool may be completed andready for use simply by filling the liner with water.

It is contemplated that the components of the swimming pool constructionas described, can be fabricated from any suitable material and by theuse of any appropriate method. It is preferred, however, that the lowerbase and upper rails and the wall panels be fabricated from asufficiently heavy gauge galvanized steel, the liner consists of aflexible and durable material, the extrusion mounted on the upper railbe fabricated of a lightweight metal such as aluminum, and the copingconsist of a soft durable material such as vinyl.

lt would be appreciated that the interlocking arrangement of the wallpanels and the lateral support assemblies provide a rigid integralconstruction capable of preventing any deformation of the side walls ofthe pool under lateral pressure provided by water in the pool. Inaddition, it will be seen that the present invention provides a poolconstruction consisting of a number of components which may be readilyassembled as a kit and sold to building contractors or home owners, andassembled with relatively little skill and few tools.

From the foregoing detailed description, it will be evident that thereare anumber of changes, adaptations and modifications of the presentinvention which come within the province of those skilled in the art.However, it is intended that all such variations not departing from thespirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof and aslimited solely by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A swimming pool construction disposed in an excavation having abottom wall and at least one side wall comprising a plurality ofvertically disposed panels interlocked together in end-to-end relationabout the periphery of said excavation adjacent said side wall thereof,each interlocked connection between succes-. sive panels comprising oneof said successive panels including a vertical flange offset outwardlyrelative to a main portion of said one of said successive panels,provided with a plurality of vertically spaced slots, disposed along thejunction of said flange and said main portion of said one of saidsuccessive panels, the other of said successive panels including aplurality of vertically spaced, horizontally projecting bent tabs offsetoutwardly relative to a main portion of the other of said successivepanels and received within said vertical slots whereby the innersurfaces of the main portions of said successive panels aredisposedadjacent'to each other and form a substantially continuous surface, eachof said tabs having upwardly and downwardly projecting flangesengageable with the vertical flange of said one of said successivepanels when said tabs are received within said vertical slots to providea plurality of vertically aligned passageways, and an interlocking pindisposed within the aligned vertical passageways between said successivepanels, means for supporting at least a portion of said panelslaterally, and a liner disposed within said plurality of panels, havingthe periphery thereof secured thereto.

2. A swimming pool construction according to claim 1 including a lowerbase rail disposed about the periphery of said excavation to which thelower ends of said panels are secured.

3. A swimming pool construction according to claim 2 wherein said lowerbase rail consists of a plurality of upwardly opening channel-shapedmembers disposed in end-to-end relation, havingsaid panels secured toinner flange portions thereof.

4. A swimming pool construction according to claim 2 including means foranchoring said lower base rail to the ground.

5. A swimming pool construction according to claim 1 including an upperrail disposed about the periphery of said excavation to which the upperends of said panels are secured. j

6. A swimming pool construction according to claim 5 wherein said upperrail consists of a plurality of downwardly opening channel-shapedmembers disposed in end-to-end relation, having said panels secured toinner flange portions thereof.

7. A swimming pool construction according to claim 5 including acontinuous coping secured to said upper rail and wherein the peripheryof said liner is disposed between said upper rail and said coping.

8. A swimming pool construction according to claim 1 including a lowerbase rail disposed about the periphery of said excavation consisting ofa plurality of upwardly opening channel-shaped members disposed inend-to-end relation, having said panels secured to inner flange portionsthereof, means for anchoring said lower base rail to the ground, anupper rail disposed about the periphery of said excavation consisting ofa plurality of downwardly opening channel-shaped members disposed inend-to-end relation, having the upper ends of said panels secured toinner flange portions thereof, and a continuous coping secured to saidupper rail, wherein the periphery of said liners is disposed betweensaid upper rail and said coping.

9. A swimming pool construction according to 'claim 1 wherein said meansfor supporting said portion of vertical panels comprises at least oneelongated rigid member secured at one end to one of said panels,extending laterally through undisturbed soil disposed adjacent saidpanel, and anchored at the other end thereof.

10. A swimming pool construction according to claim 9 wherein the outerend of said rigid member is embedded in concrete. V

11. A swimming pool construction according to claim 9 including a lowerbase rail disposed about the periphery of said excavation to which thelower ends of said panels are secured.

12. A swimming pool construction according to claim 11 wherein saidlower base rail consists of a plurality of upwardly opening channelshaped members disposed in end-to-end relation, having said panelssecured to inner flange portions thereof.

13. A swimming pool construction according to claim ll including meansfor anchoring said lower base rail to the ground.

14. A swimming pool construction according to claim 9 including an upperrail disposed about the periphery of said excavation to which the upperends of said panels are secured.

15. A swimming pool construction according to claim 14 wherein saidupper rail consists of a plurality of downwardly opening channel-shapedmembers disposed in end-to-end relation, having said panels secured toinner flange portions thereof.

16. A swimming pool construction according to claim 14 including acontinuous coping secured to said upper rail and wherein the peripheryof said liner is disposed between said upper rail and said coping.

17. A swimming pool construction according to claim 9 including a lowerbase rail disposed about the periphery of said excavation consisting ofa plurality of upwardly opening channel-shaped members disposed inend-to-end relation, having the lower ends of said panels secured toinner flange portions thereof, means for anchoring said lower base railto the ground, an upper rail disposed about the periphery of saidexcavation consisting of a plurality of downwardly openingchannel-shaped members disposed in end-to-end relation, having the upperends of said panels secured to inner flange portions thereof, and acontinuous coping secured to said upper rail, wherein the periphery ofsaid liner is disposed between said upper rail and said coping.

* i i i I!

1. A swimming pool construction disposed in an excavation having abottom wall and at least one side wall comprising a plurality ofvertically disposed panels interlocked together in end-to-end relationabout the periphery of said excavation adjacent said side wall thereof,each interlocked connection between successive panels comprising one ofsaid successive panels including a vertical flange offset outwardlyrelative to a main portion of said one of said successive panels,provided with a plurality of vertically spaced slots, disposed along thejunction of said flange and said main portion of said one of saidsuccessive panels, the other of said successive panels including aplurality of vertically spaced, horizontally projecting bent tabs offsetoutwardly relative to a main portion of the other of said successivepanels and received within said vertical slots whereby the innersurfaces of the main portions of said successive panels are disposedadjacent to each other and form a substantially continuous surface, eachof said tabs having upwardly and downwardly projecting flangesengageable with the vertical flange of said one of said successivepanels when said tabs are received within said vertical slots to providea plurality of vertically aligned passageways, and an interlocking pindisposed within the aligned vertical passageways between said successivepanels, means for supporting at least a portion of said panelslaterally, and a liner disposed within said plurality of panels, havingthe periphery thereof secured thereto.
 2. A swimming pool constructionaccording to claim 1 including a lower base rail disposed about theperiphery of said excavation to which the lower ends of said panels aresecured.
 3. A swimming pool construction according to claim 2 whereinsaid lower base rail consists of a plurality of upwardly openingchannel-shaped members disposed iN end-to-end relation, having saidpanels secured to inner flange portions thereof.
 4. A swimming poolconstruction according to claim 2 including means for anchoring saidlower base rail to the ground.
 5. A swimming pool construction accordingto claim 1 including an upper rail disposed about the periphery of saidexcavation to which the upper ends of said panels are secured.
 6. Aswimming pool construction according to claim 5 wherein said upper railconsists of a plurality of downwardly opening channel-shaped membersdisposed in end-to-end relation, having said panels secured to innerflange portions thereof.
 7. A swimming pool construction according toclaim 5 including a continuous coping secured to said upper rail andwherein the periphery of said liner is disposed between said upper railand said coping.
 8. A swimming pool construction according to claim 1including a lower base rail disposed about the periphery of saidexcavation consisting of a plurality of upwardly opening channel-shapedmembers disposed in end-to-end relation, having said panels secured toinner flange portions thereof, means for anchoring said lower base railto the ground, an upper rail disposed about the periphery of saidexcavation consisting of a plurality of downwardly openingchannel-shaped members disposed in end-to-end relation, having the upperends of said panels secured to inner flange portions thereof, and acontinuous coping secured to said upper rail, wherein the periphery ofsaid liners is disposed between said upper rail and said coping.
 9. Aswimming pool construction according to claim 1 wherein said means forsupporting said portion of vertical panels comprises at least oneelongated rigid member secured at one end to one of said panels,extending laterally through undisturbed soil disposed adjacent saidpanel, and anchored at the other end thereof.
 10. A swimming poolconstruction according to claim 9 wherein the outer end of said rigidmember is embedded in concrete.
 11. A swimming pool constructionaccording to claim 9 including a lower base rail disposed about theperiphery of said excavation to which the lower ends of said panels aresecured.
 12. A swimming pool construction according to claim 11 whereinsaid lower base rail consists of a plurality of upwardly opening channelshaped members disposed in end-to-end relation, having said panelssecured to inner flange portions thereof.
 13. A swimming poolconstruction according to claim 11 including means for anchoring saidlower base rail to the ground.
 14. A swimming pool constructionaccording to claim 9 including an upper rail disposed about theperiphery of said excavation to which the upper ends of said panels aresecured.
 15. A swimming pool construction according to claim 14 whereinsaid upper rail consists of a plurality of downwardly openingchannel-shaped members disposed in end-to-end relation, having saidpanels secured to inner flange portions thereof.
 16. A swimming poolconstruction according to claim 14 including a continuous coping securedto said upper rail and wherein the periphery of said liner is disposedbetween said upper rail and said coping.
 17. A swimming poolconstruction according to claim 9 including a lower base rail disposedabout the periphery of said excavation consisting of a plurality ofupwardly opening channel-shaped members disposed in end-to-end relation,having the lower ends of said panels secured to inner flange portionsthereof, means for anchoring said lower base rail to the ground, anupper rail disposed about the periphery of said excavation consisting ofa plurality of downwardly opening channel-shaped members disposed inend-to-end relation, having the upper ends of said panels secured toinner flange portions thereof, and a continuous coping secured to saidupper rail, wherein the periphery of said liner is disposed between saidupper rail and said coping.